Ridley Scott to Direct John Paul Getty III Kidnapping Film

Filmmaker Ridley Scott has reportedly signed on to direct John Paul Getty III’s kidnapping film All The Money In The World.

The movie’s script has been written by David Scarpa and will centre on Getty III’s kidnapping in 1973.

During the ordeal, Getty III’s mother Abigail Harris begged oilman John Paul Getty Sr. to pay the ransom, but he initially refused. He eventually agreed to pay and his teenage grandson was subsequently freed.

However, the experience left Getty III with a lot of trauma and he suffered a drug overdose, which led to a stroke, kidney failure, and him becoming a quadriplegic. He died in 2011 at the age of 54.

Production on the film is reportedly scheduled to begin in May (17) in Italy and Scott is reportedly eyeing several high profile celebrities to join the project. According to Deadline.com, the director reportedly met with Angelina Jolie last week (ends10Mar17) and extended an offer to her to portray Harris, but she had to turn down the role due to scheduling issues. Scott is now keen to land Natalie Portman for the part. If the actress agrees to star in the movie, it will be her first film since giving birth to a baby girl named Amalia last month (Feb17).

The 79-year-old also reportedly wants Jack Nicholson to play Getty Sr., but it is unclear if he will sign on. The movie veteran has not been in front of the camera for seven years, but will reportedly star in the upcoming Hollywood remake of hit German movie Toni Erdmann.

A release date for the film has yet to be announced, but Ridley will reportedly get to work on it before shooting The Cartel, the adaptation of Don Winslow’s book about the drug war.